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Symposium Proposal Guidelines & Template

2027 ASEV National Conference
Napa, California
June 14-17, 2027

Symposium Date:  Tuesday, June 15, 2027 Proposal Submission Deadline:  September 30, 2026

Part 1<br><strong>What is the</strong><br><strong>Pre-Conference</strong><br><strong>Symposium?</strong>

The ASEV pre-conference Symposium is a focused, full-day program held immediately before the National Conference. It allows for deeper exploration of a single topic than the concurrent-session format of the main conference permits and is typically organized and led by subject-matter experts (“lead symposium developers”) working with ASEV.

Past symposia have focused on a wide range of viticulture and/or enology topics, including nutrient management, rootstocks, smoke exposure, and Brettanomyces. Successful proposals are timely, clearly scoped, and distinct from recent past programming (listed below):

  • 2026 – Vineyard Nutrition Symposium
  • 2025 – Smoke Taint Symposium
  • 2024 – Red Blotch Symposium
  • 2023 – Climate Change Symposium Part 2
  • 2022 – Climate Change Symposium Part 1
  • 2021 – Precision Viticulture Symposium
  • 2020 – Invasive Pests Symposium
  • 2019 – Oak Symposium
  • 2018 – Brettanomyces Symposium
  • 2017 – New Understandings in Wine Oxidation Chemistry Symposium
  • 2016 – Managing Water in CA Vineyard Symposium

Note: The Program Committee evaluates proposals and puts forward a recommendation, but the ASEV Board of Directors makes the final decision on symposium topic — including the feasibility of the proposed budget. Venue, catering, AV execution, and other operational logistics are handled by ASEV staff once a symposium is approved. No advertising of the symposium can happen until funding (not including registration fees) has been secured.

Part 2<br>How to Submit<br>a Proposal
EligibilityAt least one member of the development team for the Symposium must be a professional member of ASEV.
FormatProposals are accepted for full-day symposia only.
Submission DeadlineSeptember 30, 2026
Submit ToASEV using online submission form on next tab.
Review TimelineProposals are reviewed by the Program Committee, which forwards a recommendation to the ASEV Board of Directors for final decision. Decisions are communicated within 30 days of the submission deadline.
SelectionSelection is competitive and not all proposals are accepted in the year submitted. Resubmission in a future year is welcomed and encouraged.
Part 3<br>Proposal Template

Complete each field below.

Pre-Conference Symposium Proposal

Name(Required)
Working Title: A clear, descriptive title attendees will recognize in the conference program.
2. Lead Symposium Developer(s)(Required)
List all individuals taking primary responsibility for developing and delivering the symposium.
Name
Affiliation
Email
Phone
 
3. Additional Speakers / Presenters
List potential speakers beyond the lead developer(s). Indicate preliminary commitment status honestly — proposals with a fully confirmed roster are evaluated more favorably than those relying on speakers who have not yet agreed to participate.
Name
Affiliation
Topic/Role
Status
 

Note any commercial or industry affiliation relevant to a speaker's topic (e.g., employment by a company whose products relate to the content). This is for transparency, not disqualification.

4. Major Topics to Be Covered(Required)
List the primary topics / sub-themes the symposium will address
Briefly describe the symposium and explain why it is appropriate for the ASEV National Conference at this time (e.g., emerging issue, industry need, gap in recent programming).
What should attendees know or be able to do after attending? State outcomes in specific, measurable terms.
Are you requesting CEU / CCA-PCA continuing education credit for this symposium?(Required)
If yes, objectives above must be written to meet accreditation standards (specific, measurable learning outcomes per session).
Flag anything that affects feasibility so staff can confirm it's achievable before the committee finalizes a decision (e.g., wine or product tastings requiring alcohol-service permitting or sample shipping, non-standard room setup).

9. Proposed Budget - Revenue

Provide your best planning estimate. Figures do not need to be exact but should be defensible.
Registration Fees(Required)
(Attendees x Fees = Total)
Attendee Type
Number of Attendees
Cost Per Attendee
Total
 
Enter total amount from sponsors
List revenue sources
(In-kind, other, sponsorships)

10. Proposed Budget - Expenses

Provide your best planning estimate. Figures do not need to be exact but should be defensible.
List Other Expenses
Additional funding sources not reflected above
Source
 

11. Proposed Agenda

Complete the skeleton below with as much information as possible regarding specific session titles, speakers, and formats (lecture, panel, hands-on, tasting, Q&A). Adjust the number of sessions as needed. Final timing of sessions will be coordinated with ASEV staff.
Registration & Welcome
Time
Speaker(s)
Format
Opening Remarks
Time
Speaker(s)
Format
Sessions
Include: Breaks/Lunch
Session/Activity
Time
Speaker(s)
Format
 
Sessions
Include: Breaks/Lunch
Session/Activity
Time
Speaker(s)
Format
 
Panel Discussion
Time
Speaker(s)
Format
Final Session
Time
Speaker(s)
Format
Closing Remarks
Time
Speaker(s)
Format
Part 4<br><strong>Program Committee</strong><br><strong>Evaluation Criteria</strong>

The Technical Program Committee will evaluate proposals using the following criteria.

Evaluation Criteria

CriterionQuestions to Consider
Relevance & TimelinessDoes the topic address a current industry or academic need? Is it distinct from recent past symposia?
Speaker Quality & BalanceAre speakers qualified and, where relevant, drawn from a mix of research, extension, and industry perspectives? Is the roster mostly confirmed rather than aspirational?
Clarity of ObjectivesAre intended outcomes specific? If CEU/CCA-PCA credit is requested, do objectives meet accreditation standards?
Audience Fit & DrawDoes the proposal align with ASEV’s mission and attendees’ interests? Is the target audience clearly defined?
FeasibilityAre special format/equipment needs realistic? Is the proposed budget reasonable and defensible?

Once evaluations are complete, the Technical Program Committee will forward its recommendation to the ASEV Board of Directors for approval. If it is approved, ASEV staff will contact the symposium’s lead organizers to begin working on logistical and financial details for the event.